2008-2009 University of Illinois (UIC) Secondary Application Thread

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For those of us not in Chicago, will you all still actively consider UIC COM anymore? I know it sounds so superficial that we would give up a school because of site placement but we have the right to choose where we want to be. So far the only other option I have is to go to Milwaukee... I know UIC is so cheap, but location is paramount. What about the rest of you? Any other places you all might go to?

UIC is still my first choice regardless as it's $20,000 cheaper than any of my other options. I am still happily going to UIC in Urbana but just was really expecting to get Chicago this early in the game. Just bummed is all. And kicking myself, although I really didn't know it'd fill up already. If they put in a new process of assignment, then I had no control over it anyway. Trust me I would love to stay in Chicago and I am applying UMed (not just for the purposes of site assignment but because I do have a multi-cultural background and have mentioned on my essays left and right that I want to work with a diverse community) and petitioning as well. If that doesn't work, then so be it. I'll have well accepted by then that I'm going to Urbana. For all of us decided on UIC but placed in Urbana, we'll still have a top notch education and we'll get together for cheap drinks before classes start!
 
chicago is not filled up. i can guarantee it. you were assigned to these schools because you have resources/familiarity with the traditions/teaching styles/overall mission of uic.

if you are applying for umed purely on location, the adcoms will see past that b.s. no offense. one of my good friends is on this com and tells me about it all the time.

good luck, but you all should be honored with an acceptance and quit bickering over location. you are going to be a doctor regardless. this makes me wonder if many of you would be good classmates since your are all a bit selfish in regards to placement. im sad to read this.
 
chicago is not filled up. i can guarantee it. you were assigned to these schools because you have resources/familiarity with the traditions/teaching styles/overall mission of uic.

if you are applying for umed purely on location, the adcoms will see past that b.s. no offense. one of my good friends is on this com and tells me about it all the time.

good luck, but you all should be honored with an acceptance and quit bickering over location. you are going to be a doctor regardless. this makes me wonder if many of you would be good classmates since your are all a bit selfish in regards to placement. im sad to read this.

Well please forgive me for speaking for the rest of "us" but I think what occurred here is that we had our heart set and anticipated getting our first choices this early in the season. This is why we were surprised and a bit disappointed when we did not get it.

That said, once that surprise has passed, I know this: I am going to be a doctor, and that is the biggest hurdle I have already overcome. Where I go has never been a dealbreaker, and I will chose the best place for me. That would be anywhere where I can fulfill my goal of becoming a great doctor
 
Well please forgive me for speaking for the rest of "us" but I think what occurred here is that we had our heart set and anticipated getting our first choices this early in the season. This is why we were surprised and a bit disappointed when we did not get it.

That said, once that surprise has passed, I know this: I am going to be a doctor, and that is the biggest hurdle I have already overcome. Where I go has never been a dealbreaker, and I will chose the best place for me. That would be anywhere where I can fulfill my goal of becoming a great doctor

Thank you Migm. We're not unappreciative because we all know that the war to get in has been won, but we were just really expecting Chicago is all since history never suggested otherwise. We'll all get over it and you should probably just let us be.
 
chicago is not filled up. i can guarantee it. you were assigned to these schools because you have resources/familiarity with the traditions/teaching styles/overall mission of uic.

if you are applying for umed purely on location, the adcoms will see past that b.s. no offense. one of my good friends is on this com and tells me about it all the time.

good luck, but you all should be honored with an acceptance and quit bickering over location. you are going to be a doctor regardless. this makes me wonder if many of you would be good classmates since your are all a bit selfish in regards to placement. im sad to read this.

What you are sad to read that we are upset because we were told information that has turned out not to be the case? That we had a preference for location and that we are upset that we didn't get that? It's understandable emotion. Your reaction is what a poor classmate would have.
 
chicago is not filled up. i can guarantee it. you were assigned to these schools because you have resources/familiarity with the traditions/teaching styles/overall mission of uic.

if you are applying for umed purely on location, the adcoms will see past that b.s. no offense. one of my good friends is on this com and tells me about it all the time.

good luck, but you all should be honored with an acceptance and quit bickering over location. you are going to be a doctor regardless. this makes me wonder if many of you would be good classmates since your are all a bit selfish in regards to placement. im sad to read this.

Selfish in regards to site placement = bad classmates.
Makes total sense. Very sad indeed.
 
So did anybody else get the site placement today? How far west are we with the OOS acceptees?

Sorry again to everyone who didn't get Chicago... I'll be interested to see if anyone got Chicago as the rest of us get our site locations... Interesting...
 
Now it's official for me -- urbana then Rockford. Chicago was my first choice
 
I don't know guys. I was accepted on 11/20, dropped off my site card at the admissions office on 11/25, and got my Chicago assignment letter, which was dated 11/26, two days later. Unless they decide which campus fits us best when they admit us, they obviously did not meet and decide on my best location in less than 24 hours. Also, everyone from the October acceptances got Chicago who wanted it. My guess is that once Chicago hits a certain number, they become much more discriminating in who they place there.
 
Hey guys,
Sorry to hear that some of you didn't get into your first choice this early that kinda blows. I chose Rockford to be close to my family and friends, and that sucks that some of you chose Chicago for the same reason but were denied. I created a facebook group for us fellow UIUC students so we can get to know each other. UIUC Class of 2013 Med Students . Hopefully we can go out before classes start to grab a few beers!
 
Hey guys,

I got placed in Chicago and was among the November acceptees. I sent in my site preference card on 11/23, but nothing on my status page changed until 12/8. Chicago was my number 1 choice, and I think others are probably right in their conjectures. It seems like UIC, for better or worse, is placing people on either track based on where they went for undergrad/live currently. I went to school in the Chicago area, was born and raised here, and have all my family here.

During my interview, all the interviewers were interested in hearing my background, where my family was from, where we live and have lived in the past. I don't know if others encountered a similar situation, but it seemed like they were very interested in my support system and where I would be the best "fit." Although it is unfair for them to ultimately decide which campus is the best fit for you, the rationale is somewhat plausible.

Sorry to hear that you weren't able to get your first choice, but I'm sure you'll enjoy UIC regardless. 🙂
 
It seems that they only made decisions where to place people for thode who sent in their cards after 11/25. That is why we only recently received our placement while those who got Chicago received their placement right away. Like Protodoc, I wish I took work off on Monday, 11/24 and mailed in my deposit and preference.
 
I think there just wasn't space. I am an OOSer from DC who was placed in Rockford... No family, etc. in the area. Since my GF will be relocating with me for medical school, changing jobs twice is pretty much out of the question. So I will appeal. But if I don't get Chicago, I will probably choose another school.
 
I think there just wasn't space. I am an OOSer from DC who was placed in Rockford... No family, etc. in the area. Since my GF will be relocating with me for medical school, changing jobs twice is pretty much out of the question. So I will appeal. But if I don't get Chicago, I will probably choose another school.

Yeah, it could be a possibility that they ran out of space somehow already this early in the game. Because like I mentioned above, it does seem like those who sent in their placement cards and deposit on or before 11/24 were placed in Chicago while those who sent in their cards on 11/25 were placed in Rockford and Peoria. Maybe Rockford and Peoria class sizes will be much larger this year? =/ I wonder how many less people they interview now.
 
OK stupid question, how do i schedule an interview? call or online? When can I call on weekdays? Thanks
 
OK stupid question, how do i schedule an interview? call or online? When can I call on weekdays? Thanks

Congrats! Call asap Monday. You can't schedule it online so you need to just call in.
 
Wow, two days with no posting, is everyone beaten down by their site assignments?

I'm hoping to get my site assignment in the mail today ( it went all the way to California)... Any of you other OOSers that are out in CA have you gotten your site assignments yet?

So whats the plan for those of you who really wanted Chicago but got placed elsewhere? Is there a formal appeal process or are you just going to write the office anyway?

PS - How crazy is it that this year people started not to get Chicago on the second round of acceptances? Seems like if you want Chicago you might be better off getting accepted in like March or April, total shift from previous years...
 
Wow, two days with no posting, is everyone beaten down by their site assignments?

I'm hoping to get my site assignment in the mail today ( it went all the way to California)... Any of you other OOSers that are out in CA have you gotten your site assignments yet?

So whats the plan for those of you who really wanted Chicago but got placed elsewhere? Is there a formal appeal process or are you just going to write the office anyway?

PS - How crazy is it that this year people started not to get Chicago on the second round of acceptances? Seems like if you want Chicago you might be better off getting accepted in like March or April, total shift from previous years...

DrJD... I want to be positive but I am still a bit beaten down by my site assignment. For personal reasons I really wanted to stay in Chicago. This weekend I kept thinking about how missing Chicago site by a hair will change the next four years of my life. Crazy...
 
DrJD... I want to be positive but I am still a bit beaten down by my site assignment. For personal reasons I really wanted to stay in Chicago. This weekend I kept thinking about how missing Chicago site by a hair will change the next four years of my life. Crazy...

It is crazy how big of a portion of your life is effected... I'm so sorry that you weren't able to get the Chicago campus, however it is still really early and I imagine that as the list moves people like you will have priority over those who are accepted later ya know?
 
Has anyone completed the immunizations? I'm wondering if the insurance will pay for the titers....
 
Just interviewed this past week and Chicago is NOT full. Was told that we are matched to the campus that would be at. It understandable that you are sad you didn't get Chicago BUT hey, you got an acceptance so for those that haven't....please try to be happy. You applied to this school knowing there were other campus' (hopefully) so sorry if I'm not that sympathetic to your site assignment. But like others have said, maybe you'll get what you want in the end.
 
Just interviewed this past week and Chicago is NOT full. Was told that we are matched to the campus that would be at. It understandable that you are sad you didn't get Chicago BUT hey, you got an acceptance so for those that haven't....please try to be happy. You applied to this school knowing there were other campus' (hopefully) so sorry if I'm not that sympathetic to your site assignment. But like others have said, maybe you'll get what you want in the end.

Thank you for this information. This actually makes me feel better. I just don't want to kick myself for some stupid should-have in the past. If the decision was up to adcom all along, then I don't feel so stupid.

And Heston - I asked my PCP to do my titers and it's all covered under my insurance with a $15 copay.
 
Thank you for this information. This actually makes me feel better. I just don't want to kick myself for some stupid should-have in the past. If the decision was up to adcom all along, then I don't feel so stupid.

And Heston - I asked my PCP to do my titers and it's all covered under my insurance with a $15 copay.

Serious? omg, sweet. I thought i was gonna have to pay out the ass....
 
Hmm. This is interesting. I cannot help but wonder if they are going to stop sending out site preference cards since CLEARLY it means nothing.

Goodluck to all my fellow compatriots waiting "patiently" to hear back at the end of this week (hopefully)!
 
Hmm. This is interesting. I cannot help but wonder if they are going to stop sending out site preference cards since CLEARLY it means nothing.

Goodluck to all my fellow compatriots waiting "patiently" to hear back at the end of this week (hopefully)!

Good luck to everyone!:luck: Its gonna be a long 3 days wait. I think, correct me if I'm wrong, they will meet this Thursday.
 
I hope to hear from UIC by this week. I interviewed 12/8. I had a great time chatting with my interviewers and the school is great! I'm hoping for some good news, AHH. The nerve begins to mount again.
 
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Does anyone know what percentage of the interviewee pool they accept each round of decisions? I heard the percentage overall is like 60%. Does getting an interview that went decently mean youre basically in?
 
Does anyone know what percentage of the interviewee pool they accept each round of decisions? I heard the percentage overall is like 60%. Does getting an interview that went decently mean youre basically in?
It's like 70%. BTW I did not get into Chicago also, I guess one more spot for some one else.
 
I'm really curious now to see where I got placed! The letter has yet to reach the permanent address in CA... Hopefully you feel better protodoc!
 
It's like 70%. BTW I did not get into Chicago also, I guess one more spot for some one else.

Does that hold for people interviewing late as well, or is it like 90% chance if you interview early and 50% if you interview late?
 
the Dean said that he would do his best to make sure that those interviewed last week would be put in committee THIS THURS. So good luck to everyone. If not, then it will be the 3rd Thurs in Jan. But the Dean really wanted to get everyone through--the only problem would be if the interviewer didn't finish their paperwork in time.

And I agree, why do site cards? Makes no sense. In the interview last week, I was told I would be a good "match" for Peoria (spelling?). Interesting? Like the rest of you, I would like Chicago but just to get an acceptance would make me happy at this point!
 
the Dean said that he would do his best to make sure that those interviewed last week would be put in committee THIS THURS. So good luck to everyone. If not, then it will be the 3rd Thurs in Jan. But the Dean really wanted to get everyone through--the only problem would be if the interviewer didn't finish their paperwork in time.

And I agree, why do site cards? Makes no sense. In the interview last week, I was told I would be a good "match" for Peoria (spelling?). Interesting? Like the rest of you, I would like Chicago but just to get an acceptance would make me happy at this point!

Thanks for the insight books. I had no idea they started this process. Best of luck to you!:luck:
 
Mine hasn't made it to AZ yet either. I'm hoping tomorrow will be our day.

Was yours sent on the 9th or the 8th? I'm hoping it will hurry up! I'm really curious now to see where they thought I would be a good "fit" 🙂
 
Now I am almost positive I am destined for peoria (spelling? lol). Its all coming back to me now! I went to UW-Madison and I remember being told multiple times that peoria (spelling) would be as close to madison as I could get.

Oh well, I would just be glad to get an acceptance then I could say UIC was my first:laugh::laugh::laugh:
 
ok this is BIZARRE. i have been reading this thread since people have been getting their assignment placements and is this like a new thing for uic ? i have never heard of them doing this..
 
ok this is BIZARRE. i have been reading this thread since people have been getting their assignment placements and is this like a new thing for uic ? i have never heard of them doing this..

I was reading through last year's thread and even last year, some kids accepted in Feb and March were getting into Chicago but most weren't, so I think they try to honor your preference when it's early and when you're a good fit,but otherwise they assign you where they think you'll be best and they save a few spots in Chicago for people interviewing later in the season. In the acceptance packet, there was a sheet about site preference that said it was first-come, first-serve, but on my actual site confirmation letter it said "based on your preferences, career goals, etc etc", plus I called in and they said adcom was still deciding on my location at that time, meaning they probably do assign you. They might have realized this was unfair to students in the past who really needed to stay in Chicago but didn't get in all cuz of interviewing timing. Good luck to all who will have a decision made on them this Thursday! I'm looking forward to meeting more future classmates!
 
l think that i've been saying what proctodoc has been saying for the past week. anyways, its a tough luck system this year but who's excited for this thursday....can't wait to find out if im part of this lucky bunch!!!
 
Yeah, it is strange, but it does seem like the other sites are filling up pretty fast. But yeah, I guess it won't so bad in Rockford. If I want to visit Chicago, it's only 80 miles away 🙂 Plus, looking at the M1 schedule, I don't think we have much time to enjoy whatever any city has to offer us 😛
 
Yeah, it is strange, but it does seem like the other sites are filling up pretty fast. But yeah, I guess it won't so bad in Rockford. If I want to visit Chicago, it's only 80 miles away 🙂 Plus, looking at the M1 schedule, I don't think we have much time to enjoy whatever any city has to offer us 😛

All this speculation is making me think... what exactly IS the criteria? Maybe everyone who has gotten an acceptance could be so nice as to list some short things about their application/interview and what track they got.

For example,
Track Wanted: (Chicago/Rockford/Peoria)
Track Gotten: (Chicago/Rockford/Peoria)
Interviewed at: (Chicago/Rockford/Peoria)
Dates: Complete- __, Interviewed- __, Accepted- __, Mailed preference- __
UGrad Location/Population: (Town, State, Pop. #)
UGrad Size: (Total students in ugrad)
Childhood Location/Population where longest lived: (Town, State, Pop. #)
GPA/MCAT:
Strength of E.C's:
Anything else you feel is "pertinent" to what caused you TO get or NOT get your placement...

This data might not only help us all understand, but would be invaluable for next-year applicants if this is some new system UIC is implementing. Just an idea...
 
My site placement finally made it to Arizona today. I mailed it in on the 26th from AZ, first choice Chicago, and got placed in Rockford.

Was Rockford your second choice? Is anyone being placed in their 3rd or 4th choice?

Here's hoping I'll get mine today too, now I'm just curious!
 
Sorry you didn't get Chicago merry, did you have your heart set on Chicago?

Yeah definitely, although I'm sure Rockford will be fine. I don't know a single thing about that campus though, I'd really like to talk to students who go there or something to get a feel for what its even like. I noticed in the big packet of materials that they suggest you visit all 3 campuses before turning in your site placement, which seems like an impossible thing to do. I feel like everything I learned on my interview day in Chicago can almost be thrown out the window since I won't be going there.

One thing my tour guides did mention was that since there are so much fewer med students in the city of Rockford compared to Chicago you get more opportunities during clinical training to do hands on stuff that you don't get in Chicago.
 
Track Wanted: (Chicago/Rockford/Peoria)

Track Gotten: (Chicago/Rockford/Peoria)

Interviewed at: (Chicago/Rockford/Peoria)

Dates: Complete- _8/14_, Interviewed- _11/5_, Accepted- 11/20__, Mailed preference- _11/23_

UGrad Location/Population: (Town, State, Pop. #) Evanston, IL

UGrad Size: (Total students in ugrad) 8,000

Childhood Location/Population where longest lived: (Town, State, Pop. #)
Chicago/NW suburbs = 21 years

GPA/MCAT: 3.89/32

Strength of E.C's: Average

Anything else you feel is "pertinent" to what caused you TO get or NOT get your placement...All my family is in Chicago, and I've never lived anywhere further than 40 minutes from the city
 
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